Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-07-29
fear I q. OF being sent in to Nashville. Pshav!

pistols, he made way as expeditiously rs
possible toward the ford, where he knew
some of US would be anxiously AWAITING
his return.
But other adventures were in store for
this bold rider, for he had vet the most
dangerous part of his journey to pass over.
Big Harpeth. ON'
On reaching the public road which led
to the Cow ford, Vaughn took the precau-
ton to dlsmount for The purpose of ex-
aiming the road, to see whether or not a
troop OF horsemen had been in that section.
The starlight scarcely afforded the means
tor asceltalniEg this fact, but the ground
was soft enough to take ready impression
OF horses feet, and l,y dint Of very close
examination. and by feeling for tracks, I"
he was convinced that troop had passed
on toward the ford and had returned on the
same road.
But Vaughn was too "old bird to be
caught with cha1f," and, believing in the
probability that part of the troop might be
guarding the ford still, he took steps &C
cordingly. So pulling down the fence on
the moth side of the road, he led his horse
through the gap, and mounting, rode into
the field which lay ON the margin of the
river below the ford.
Horses soon are brought to understand
the movements of their riders, and govern
themselves accordingly; for, should rider
show unusual timid.ty in approaching an
object. or any part of road, the horse
shows as Enthusiastically his own apprehen-
slons, and is ready to anticipate the slight
est pressure, Oh one rein, intended to turn
him aside from direct course.
So it is with the steed of reckless
horseman; or Of bold but cautious rider.
In the latter case the horse pushes on,
showing plainly his tull appreciation of
surroundings, and holding himself ready
to prove, even to those who claim that ami
mails are governed altogether by instinct, +"
the sympathy existing between man and
beast; but that is out of our province here,
and we will apologies for even the above
depression.
AS Vaughn approached the river, draw
ing diagonally toward the ford, he became
satisfied, by the movements of his horse,
that something unusual was in the vicinity.
and that it was necessary for him to recon-
hotter closely before approaching the river
at this point.
Having thus determined, he turned to
the north, that he might approach the river
at several hundred yards below the ford
(where the banks of the stream were more
precipitous, and almost impracticable)
where he could hitch his horse and make
his way on foot in the desired direction.
AS he approached the ford his steps be-
came more deliberate, and he walked as
near as possible to the bushes which
fringed the river bank, until he reached a
point within fifty yards of the ford, where
he sank down upon his knees, both for the
purpose of listening and that he might see
above the horizon the head of any one left
to guard the ford.
Advancing cautiously, and in stopping
position, Vaughn almost reached the road,
where his steps were arrested at hearing the
low, concentrated breathing out emitted by
q horse which has just detected the prox-
unity of some person or object with which
he is unacquainted.
OF course Vaughn took note of this warn
ing, but he was unwilling TO leave the spot
till he sau something; so, after remaining
crouched in the bush for some moments,
and then, slowly changing his position so
that he might get a lower horizon through
an opening between the tops of two large
trees, he saw all he wanted-for there,
within thirty feet of him, were two horse
men, now plainly visible.
Concluding that it was now "his move, !"
Vaughn started on the back track to mount
his horse, having determined to ride down
the precipitous bank, and to swim the river.
But the danger signal uttered by the horse
in the road had reached other ears which
were already erect C'erectis auribus")
with apprehension, for the locality was as
little safe for small force of Federals as it
was for like force of Confederates.
Vaughn made his way to the vicinity of
his horse, when he ran athwart dry
brush pile which lay partly concealed in
his path.
Recovering his feet, he fastened toward
his horse, admonished by the cracking of
the dry brush that further attempts at con-
cealment were useless, as the enemy, al
ready on the alert, were now certainly APP
prised OF the proximity of some one, not of
tteir party.
In a few moments Vaughn heard a
fence-rail drop. and knew that the fence
was being torn down by hands eager to be
laid upon him. Therefore he felt the ne
cessity for moving quickly but deliberately,
for Vaughn was not the man to "lose his
head" SO he soon had his horse unhitched
and was mounted ready for flight.
Preferring to 60 into the water as quietly
as possible, 30 as to not excite his horse to
a greater degree, rs well as not to betray
his exact locality to his pursuers, Vaughn
LIS uOlSC ucdu ~ lue lINcI dEu
pressed him gently but firmly down tho
steep bank.
The broken rocks, which were detached
from lodges cropping out of the river bank,
rendered noiseless descent impossible;
SO that by the time Vaughn had entered
the waters edge, his pursuers had halted
on the brink of the river bank above him.
The shadows, cast by tall trees on both
banks of the river, SO DISTRACTED their
view that the pursuers were unable to
locate Vaughn. SO long as his horse was
swimming; but as he approached the OPP
posite bank and reached shallower water,
the noise made by the horse obviated this
difficulty. and fearing that they could not
overtake the fugitive, his pursuers opened
fire upon him.
Though their fire was only at a noise, it
was nearly fatal to both rider and horse.
for one bullet cut through Vaughns coat,
lust grazing his body below the arm-pit,
and another creased his horse, which fell,
but quickly recovered and rushed UP the
bank, thus taking his rider out of range.
Thus Vaughn made his escape, and
hurrying on to headquarters he found
Lieutenant D. w. Johnston, who sent his
report to General Forrest.
As two or more estimates had been made,
one placing the enemy's force at Brent
wood as high as twelve hundred men, Cen
eru Forrest CONCLUDED to take his whole
10 no